pure turface????

bonsainewbie221

can it be done. is it ok for most trees etc etc. really any info u got ill take. thanks a bunch

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PatArizona

G'day NB221...

Don't see why pure turface wouldn't work...as you say...for some trees.

I've never used pure turface...however, I have used, in pure form, OilDri, Pumice and Perlite with small, collected Turpintines, in the Southern Arizona Desert.

Perlite, I would not recommend as a soil mix ingrediant...holds tooo much water.
My experience and opinion.

It's a very, very good idea to check this out with a local bonsai club, and locals with bonsai growing experience in your geographical location.

Pat

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BONSAI isn't about surviving in a storm, rather, how to dance in the rain.
THE ONLY WAY: Always remember, and don't ever forget, that whatever you read here is not cast in concrete... the intent of any advice is to help. In no way should you feel that I’m saying that my way is the only way…heaven forbid! I've seen far too much of the "my way or the highway" attitude in bonsai as well as in other areas of life.

Bonsai Barry

I have used pure turface on some trees, but it requires a great deal of watering so I try to mix it with pine bark and decomposed granite.

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Bonsai Barry

"Our talent lies in our choices."

PatArizona

Spot on Barry...lots of water and lots of fertilizer...however...


I use pumice OR lava mixed equally with turface OR profile OR OilDri for my basic mix. Then, occasionally...as in almost never...I add less than 5% Orchid Mix (bark).

Works for me...

My " pure" post was for collected material...

Pat

__________________
BONSAI isn't about surviving in a storm, rather, how to dance in the rain.
THE ONLY WAY: Always remember, and don't ever forget, that whatever you read here is not cast in concrete... the intent of any advice is to help. In no way should you feel that I’m saying that my way is the only way…heaven forbid! I've seen far too much of the "my way or the highway" attitude in bonsai as well as in other areas of life.

Mcspeed

Colin Lewis has an article at his site and say's that not more than 10 % by soil volume for the use of turface - " Manufacturers recommend not using more than 10% by volume to avoid danger of build-up of toxic amounts of nutrient ions.".

I just read this yesterday, and will be looking at this further, because the mix I have been using is more like 33% soooooo. Not to mention 100 % would be rather expensive in the short or long run, especially if it's hurting the trees vigor.

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tachigi

You can find the article HERE The title is Soils

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Tom

Shady Side Bonsai
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bonsainewbie221

thanks guys, i was just wondering what u guys thought because i read somewere that it can be done. so essientially is it the same thing as akadama fired clay? cuz i use pure akadama on most of my trees. possible looking for an alternative as akadama is rather expensive.

tachigi

No this is not a substitute for akadama! You really need to read the soils article or the back of a turface bag.

Actually on second thought this is what Colin Lewis in his article says:



Note the part about holding salts and water .... by using pure turface you most likely won't kill your tree but you won't be helping it either to reach it full potential when growing.

My suggestion is to cut the akadama with other ingredients as the article suggests if your trying to bring your bonsai budget into line.

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Tom

Shady Side Bonsai
Bonsai Vault
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_gonzo_

One benefit of akadama is that it assists in soil aeration. Without aeration beneficial microbe activity will cease. As the article states however, akadama can become quite expensive. For this reason I have been using Turface for several years since it does the same thing for much less money and can be (IMO) every bit as effective.

The article states that too much turface will hold harmful chemical salts (and probably chlorides) found in many ferts. In a broad sense, I would agree.

However, I simply elect not to use most ferts and the problem is solved.

I have been able to use turface at about 60% of my soil mix for several reasons (and years) as follows:

I use organic fertilizers with a high volume of humic acid, something like 15% to detoxify the soil of these very salts and chlorides. Beneficial bioactiviy is therefore not inhibited at all and plants (long-term) simply wail.

It’s all a matter of what you are willing to learn/understand.

Cheers,

_gonzo_